Emotional songs you’ll want to listen to in summer: classic tracks by rock bands and singer-songwriters.
When you think of summer, what kind of image comes to mind?
It’s a season that’s hot and liberating, with lots of fun events, right?
But alongside that glamorous image, don’t you sometimes feel a vague sense of wistfulness—something a bit emo?
In this article, we’ll introduce a bunch of emo songs you’ll want to listen to in summer, the kind that resonate with those feelings.
From band tracks to singer-songwriter pieces, we’ve gathered many songs across eras and genres, so be sure to take your time listening while reading the lyrics.
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Emo Songs to Listen to in Summer: Masterpieces by Rock Bands and Singer-Songwriters (31–40)
sunflowerAge Factory
Age Factory is a three-piece rock band whose solid yet tricky playing has earned high acclaim, and whose straightforward live performances have also made them popular.
Released on May 31, 2023, “Himawari” is a track with a floating sensation woven into its sense of speed, issued as the second installment in their series of consecutive new releases.
The lyrics, which evoke a parting with someone precious, capture the bittersweet feeling of summer slipping away.
It’s a sentimental rock tune whose powerful yet wistful ensemble pierces the heart.
Heat haze of Augustmakaroni enpitsu
This is a song by the rock band Macaroni Enpitsu, formed at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music in Kanagawa Prefecture.
It begins with a cool, understated vibe that feels like a summer breeze, then builds powerfully toward the chorus as if pouring out emotion—an impressive sonic development.
As suggested by the title, the song evokes a desperate figure chasing something intangible and the emptiness that accompanies it.
It can also be heard as expressing the loneliness felt when the summer heat has passed.
A midsummer passing showerUtada Hikaru
A song released in 2016 that reveals a new side of her.
The suspension of her musical career for “human activities,” the loss of her mother, getting married, giving birth, and becoming a mother herself—it’s as if all of that is packed into this one track, and it’s deeply moving.
The lyrics, which sing of the lingering feelings for someone who has gone away, and the wounds left by losing a loved one, read almost like a passage from a personal novel.
It’s a wonderful summer song that stands apart from Utada’s early works.
A must-listen, even if you’re not a fan!
Summer NudeMagokoro Burazāzu
Formed in 1988 by YO-KING and Hidetoshi Sakurai, Magokoro Brothers released “Summer Nude” in 1995—a pop tune with exhilarating, summer-flavored lyrics and sound.
The friendly vocals make you want to sing along, and the straightforward lyrics about being your true self are a perfect fit for the season.
It’s a top recommendation for anyone looking for ’80s-style summer songs! By the way, they reunited in 2005, so keep an eye on their future activities.
Rainy WednesdayOhtaki Eiichi
One of Eiichi Ohtaki’s signature songs, where the gentle, soaking rain conveys the feel of summer.
You can picture yourself quietly gazing at the sea with someone dear, beside a battered old Volkswagen.
Before you know it, as you listen, you’re filled with a sentimental longing for the passing seasons.
The track was included on the classic 1981 album “A LONG VACATION,” and was later released as a single in May 1982.
With its clear, transparent vocals and wistful melody that sinks into the heart, it’s a perfect number for late summer.
Emotional songs you’ll want to listen to in summer: Classic tracks by rock bands and singer-songwriters (41–50)
SummertimeFIVE NEW OLD
This song, with its striking guitar sound and exhilarating melody, is a number by the Kobe-born band FIVE NEW OLD.
The lyrics, blending sweet bitters and a touch of wistfulness as they look back on the days of summer gone by, are filled with a nostalgic summer atmosphere.
Their sound, infused with a love for the 2000s rock they grew up on, feels both familiar and fresh.
The track was used in a KOSÉ commercial and included on their April 2021 album “MUSIC WARDROBE.” It’s an emotional rock tune, perfect for a drive under blue skies or a memorable moment with friends.
Sunflower FireworksAile The Shot
A bittersweet, stylish summer tune where an urban groove reveals the scenery of a summer dusk.
It’s a track by Aile The Shota, produced by ☆Taku Takahashi of m-flo, released in June 2025.
It portrays the frustration of a love where the person can’t confess their feelings, and the lyrics tighten your chest in contrast to the song’s pleasant vibe.
The delicate vocals and wistful melody create a sentimental summer mood, making it impossible not to dwell on its story.